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What should I do if my Acctivate database is approaching the 10GB limit in SQL Server Express?

Learn what to do when your Acctivate database nears the 10GB SQL Server Express limit, including options to upgrade or host your database with Acctivate.

Acctivate uses Microsoft SQL Server to store all company data. If your company is using Microsoft SQL Server Express, it’s important to know that SQL Server Express has a maximum database size limit of 10GB per database.

When your Acctivate database approaches this limit, new data may fail to save or Acctivate may display errors indicating that the database is full.

Understanding the SQL Server Express Database Limit

Microsoft SQL Server Express is a free edition of SQL Server designed for smaller installations.
Key limitations include:

  • Maximum database size: 10GB

  • Limited memory usage (1GB of RAM per instance)

  • Single CPU utilization

As your business and Acctivate data grow, this limit can be reached over time — especially in environments with a large number of sales orders, transactions, or historical data.

Options When Your Database Approaches 10GB

  1. Upgrade to Microsoft SQL Server Standard or higher

    • SQL Server Standard removes the 10GB size restriction and allows for better performance and scalability.

    • You or your IT provider can purchase SQL Server Standard through Microsoft or a software reseller.

    • Once purchased, your IT professional can perform an in-place upgrade from SQL Server Express to SQL Server Standard without needing to reinstall Acctivate or migrate data.

  2. Consider using the Acctivate Database Hosting Service

    • Acctivate offers a Database Hosting Service that manages your SQL Server environment for you.

    • This option removes the need to maintain your own SQL Server hardware or licensing.

    • Hosting includes regular maintenance, backups, and updates handled by Acctivate’s technical team.

    • To learn more or receive a quote, contact your Acctivate Account Manager.

Next Steps

  • If you would like to discuss Acctivate’s Database Hosting Service, contact your Acctivate Account Manager.

  • For technical assistance upgrading your SQL Server instance, your IT provider or Acctivate Support team can help coordinate the process.

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